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Two red panda cubs born at Denver Zoo

Month-old cubs remain away from public as they bond with mother

Posted:
07/10/2016 04:52:07 PM MDT

Updated:
07/11/2016 09:37:59 AM MDT

The two new red panda cubs, Lali and Masu, born at the Denver Zoo. (Photo courtesy of the Denver Zoo)

Denver Zoo welcomed the birth of two red pandas on June 6. The female cubs, named Lali and Masu, are currently in a nesting box and are being cared for by their mother, Faith. On rare occasion, Zoo guests may see the mother bring the cubs outside the nesting box. However, the cubs will remain mostly behind the scenes until September, when they're more developed and ready to fully join their father, Hamlet, in the red panda exhibit.

Zookeepers are keeping a close eye on Lali and Masu; Zoo veterinarians perform regular exams to check weight, temperature and overall wellness. In their first weeks of life, the cubs were not gaining weight or regulating their body temperatures. Both were diagnosed with pneumonia and started on daily tube feedings, antibiotics and fluids. They slowly began gaining weight and recovering, and are now off of treatment and doing well on their own. Recently they began opening their eyes but, as newborns do, they sleep most of the day and night.

This is both parent's first litter. Faith, mother, was born in June 2014 and Hamlet, father, was born July 2013. The two were brought to Denver Zoo, Faith from Trevor Park Zoo and Hamlet from Toronto Zoo, last year under breeding recommendation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan.

Red pandas are native to Asia and are most commonly found in Nepal, India, Bhutan, Myanmar and China. As their name suggests, the pandas are red and have off-white markings, large puffy tails and pointed ears. Red pandas, like giant pandas, have very specialized diet requirements and eat a large amount of bamboo daily.

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The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies red pandas as an endangered species. According to IUCN, their biggest threats are habitat loss and fragmentation, habitat degradation and physical threats. Red pandas are part of the Global Species Management Plan (GSMP) in zoos around the world. GSMP is allied with field conservation efforts for animals around the world.

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